Wardrobing, Styling, and Living

Black & Blue

Season after season, I find myself turning to a tried & true color combo: black & blue. No matter the variation (light blue, cobalt blue, navy blue) this match made in heaven always works for me. Whoever said you can’t wear these two hues together needs to go see an eye doctor.

Keep scrolling to see some of my favorite black & blue ensembles…

Light Blue/Black as an Accent

You may think light blue & black is too much contrast, but it is actually a softer take on black & white. This works best if there is already some black worked into a print, but if you feel like wearing black shoes with your blue outfit then do it! The first look puts the print trick into action; there is a subtle outline of black around each flower, thus tying in the skirt which is totally appropriate for a spring day. The second ensemble is a visual trick; the print on print (yes, that is a cardigan & skirt) consists of a white background with dark blue design, but your eyes blur the colors to read “light blue.” The bit of black up top & in the shoes gives your eyes a break, keeping the ensemble from looking like tacky wallpaper. In the third outfit black plays a bigger role and all shades of blue are present. I chose white as the accent color to lighten everything up for summer. Lastly, we have an all blue look with only a hint of black in the loafers. Black CAN be a neutral to blue!

Cobalt & Black

Cobalt & black has to be my #1 Fave version of this theme. The first two images depict ensembles consisting of mostly black & white with a POP of vibrant blue. This technique can be very effective and give off an artsy vibe. The third & fourth looks allow cobalt blue to be the star of the outfit. With these looks, black is simply used to cover the skin (because I freeze in winter) and accentuate this bold hue. You may notice that I went a little edgy with the last looks, but really this can be done with any style.

Midnight

This is possibly the most controversial color combo in the fashion world: navy & black. I know people who loath the pairing and others that work it on a regular basis; I fall into the latter group. This first ensemble exhibits the color scheme by way of color blocking; no prints, just solid-color pieces. The second ensemble uses a subtle print as the centerpiece of the outfit. If you look closely, the shirt is a navy floral brocade against a black jersey background. I completed the outfit with a black skirt, tights, and heels so that the navy stands out. The last two looks are variations on the same dress, styled for winter & summer. The winter ensemble toughens up the geometric print shift dress, while the sheer tights add a little sass. Ditch the tights & jacket, trade the booties for strappy wedges, add some fabulous sunglasses and you have a simple summer ensemble that will not disappoint. It just goes to show that even a dark color scheme can be appropriate in warmer weather. Blue & black is so versatile, why don’t you try?!